Edge to edge fastening



Sept. 8, 1953 F. A. PRIESTLEY 2,651,091 EDGE TO EDGE! FASTENING FiledJuly 50, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 p 8, 1953. F. A. PRIESTLEY 2,651,091

EDGE TO EDGE FASTENING Filed July 30, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PatentedSept. 8, 1953 OFFICE EDGE To EDGE FASTENING Frederick Alfred Priestley,London, England Application July 30, 1947, SerialNo. 764,695 In GreatBritain January 28, 1943 Section-1, Public Law 690, August8, 1946 Patentexpires January 28, 1963 1 Claim. (01. 24-2051) The present inventionrelates-to edge-to-edge fastenings and more particularly though notexclusively to edge-to-edge fastenings of the tin and box type sometimesknown as the Zip (registered trade-mark) Whilst this type of fasteninghas many uses such, for example, as on. garments, cases and covers, thefastenings in common use have the great drawback that they are notwatertight and gastight; It has been proposed to provide an edge-to-edgefastener with abutting strips for the purpose of making a joint proofagainst fluids, but such a joint is somewhat clumsy and its manipulationrequires a separate closing of two rows of fastenings. In manycircumstances, such for example on clothing, this is very inconvenientand even impossible.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedsubstantially fluidtight joint in conjunction with an edge-to-edgefastener which joint can be opened or closed by manipulation of only onegrip.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an edge-to-edgefastener having the above characteristics which is more compact andwhich tion an edge-to-edge fastener includes two pairs of rows ofinterlocking teeth having between them two strips or like longitudinalmembers mounted upon the stringers carrying the teeth so as to provide afluidtight union'therewith, said strips being adapted on closing of thetwo rows of interlocking teeth to abut and compress to form a fluidtightjoint, a slide on each pair of row adapted on longitudinal movement tolock and unlock the teeth in known manner, said slides being connectedby a web-member passing between the said strips and so shaped as to forma watertight joint between the-two strips when the edge-to-edge fasteneris closed. When the edge-to-edge fastening is employed on slit closuresthe web member seats between two soft rubber facings on the longitudinalmembers when the fastener is in the closed position which facings arepressed against the web-member by the slides pressing laterally againstthe ends or stops on the ends of the rows of interlocking teeth.

Such a watertight edge-to-edge fastener can be mounted upon a garment orcover and be closed by means of a single grip provided upon the outerslidemember. r

7 According to a further aspect of the present invention the teeth ofanfedge-to-edge fastener, of the type referred to, have mounted upon orcarried in the said teeth longitudinal members for example strips whichwhen the fastening is closed abut and compress to form a watertightjoint.

Preferably the longitudinal members forming the watertight joint aremade from some flexible yielding water-resistant material such as rubberor artificial rubber. Alternatively, one of the longitudinal members maybe flexible but nonyielding for example steel strip and adapted to pressagainst a flexible and yielding longitudinal member to form thewaterproof joint.

It is an important aspect of the present invention that the stringer,which is, of course, waterproof, upon which the teeth are mounted iscontinued round the teeth to form with the longitudinal member ormembers a continuous, impervious joint with the material to which thefastener is attached.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which further aspects of the invention will be apparent;Figure 1 shows in section one form of fastener according to the presentinvention;

Figure 2 shows in longitudinal section the fastener shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a plan of the fastener shown in Figures 1 and 2 in theclosed position;

Figure 4 shows an alternative construction to Figure 1 a I a Figure 5shows in section a fastener according to another aspect of theinvention;

Figure 6 shows in section-an alternative form of fastenings to that ofFigure 5 and embodying a dustproof device and an improved form of slide;

Figure 7 shows a plan view of the slide;

Figure 8 shows another form of fastener according to the invention incross-section;

Figure 9 shows an adaption of the fastener shown in Figure 1 to form awatertight junction or .T-j oint; s

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of one row of coupling membersembodying the present invention;

.Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a further form of tooth embodyingthe present invention;

Figure 12 shows in perspective two rows of interlocking teethembodying'a further aspect of the invention;

Figure 13 shows an alternative form of tooth .towhichthe presentinvention can be applied;

Figure 14 shows a section on the lines XIV- XIV of Figure 13;

Figure 15 shows in cross-section an edge-toedge fastener embodyingfurther features of the invention;

Figure 16 showsin cross-section the fastener in the closed position;

Figure 17 shows an alternative form of toot incorporating the presentinvention;

Figure 18 shows one method of employing ordinary round rubber threads asthe longitudinally sealing member;

Figure 19 shows yet another construction of a watertight edge-to-edgefastener according to the present invention, and

Figure 20 shows the fastener-shown in Figure 19 in the closed position.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 there are provided two pairs of rows ofedge-to-edge fastening's of the Zip (registered trade-mark) type I and2. These are mounted in the usual manner upon stringers 3 and thestringers are sewn or otherwise secured upon either side of both edgesof'the opening in the material 4. Between each pair of rows I and 2there is secured in a watertight manner to the respective stringers 3two rubber strips 5-5. The outer edge of these strips may extend to apoint level with the front edge of the teeth of the edge-to-edgefastenings. The extent to which the outer edge projects depends upon thedegree of interlocking of the teeth and the degree of yield of thematerial of the strip. Furthermore, the strips may be asymmetricallydisposed with respect to the teeth.

Each pair of rows of fastenings is provided with a slider 66 ofconventional form for the purpose of interlocking and unlocking theteeth of the fastener, but they are joined by a connecting web I. Thisweb I is of flat cross seotion', having tapering edges and runs freelybetween the strips 5-5. The outer slider 6 is provided with an elongatedslot 8 in which runs a suitable pull or grip 9. The provision of thisslot 8 enables any tendency of the underslide 6 to twist or distort tobe counteracted by pressure of the thumb or finger upon the top of theslot 8. Thus, in Figure 2 in which. the left-hand end shows thefastenings in closed position and the right-hand end in the openposition the pull or grip 3 is held in the position shown in full lineduring the opening operation and in the position shown in chain linewhen the fastening is being closed.

In order to hide the fastening and also to provide it with a dust-coverthere maybe secured to the outer stringers 33 rubber or similar flapsIii-II) between which the slot 8 protrudes but which in the closedposition abut on the top of the fastenings.

In the closed position the two strips 5 --'5 are closed together by thefastenings l and 2 and are held in abutment and under compressiontoprovide a completely watertight joint. This is so because there isalways, and in whatever position assumed by the joint as a whole,compression applied on either side of the strips 55 by the two rows offastenings I and 2.

An important point in the construction of this fastener is that thestringers 3' and the strips 5 are bonded together in a watertight andg'astig'ht manner and provide a direct lateral pull to the couplings inengagement on both sides of the fastening under the action of thesliders.

At the end of the closure accommodating the web I and particularly inlinear and curvilinear slit closures when the fastening is closed thestrips 55 are compressed closely against either side of the web I whichis caused to be suitably embedded in a seating at the stop or rack endof the slit closure by pressure of the slide 8 laterally against theends of the rows of interlocking members I and 2. Conveniently, althoughnot shown, the slides 6-6 may be retained in the closed position bymeans of a suitable locking device such as a catch, hook-and-eye or thelike.

Referring to Figure 4 the fastenings I and 2 carry on their lower edgesthe strips 5-5 which form a'rebated joint when in compression, and whichare operated in exactly the same manner by slides H 5 as described withreference to Fignice 1 to 3. The difference lies in the keying of strips55 into the teeth I and 2 instead of having the teeth and strip free formovement with respect to one another. Conveniently, the stringers 3maybe rubberized and bonded with the rubber strips 5-5 by a vulcanizingoperation and material of the garment made to adhere to them asnecessary.

In Figure 5 there is shown a complete de parture from certain priorproposals for a waterproof Zip. In this embodiment the teeth I I'-I Iwhich interlock in accordance with the Zip (registered trade-mark)principle have keyed into their lower edge a rubber strip 5 in order toprovide a watertight union between the strip 5 and the stringer 3 thestringer 3 after being secured to the teeth H by the conventionalbeading I2 is provided with an extension 13 passing round the undersideof the teeth II to'be bonded to the strip 5. The slider 6 which isprovided with the conventional wedge member IT for displacing the teethduring locking and unlocking is secured in the closed position toprovide a watertight joint in the same manner as the web member I ofFigures 1-3.

Figure 6 shows an alternative construction of tooth embodying fourcompressible strips. In this case the main strips 5- 5 arecounterbalanced by smaller strips 5a-5a placed on the opposite side ofthe interlocking portion of the teeth II. Thus, when closed, the strips5-5 and 5a-5a are brought into abutment and under compression and serveto prevent either pair tending to twist the fastening about theteeth. Inthis embodiment the strips are shown' as rubber thread of heavy countcompressed into suitable arcuate apertures in the teeth Ii. Rubberthread lends itself readily to its assembly into the teeth since ifslightly oversize rubber thread is employed it is automaticallyretained. in the apertures and in addition provides a projecting portionI4 which serves as the abutting face to form the joint.

In this construction there is also shown a skin or pellicule I5conveniently formed of thin, tough, rubber sheeting which is bonded tothe extension I3 of the stringer 3 and passes over the teeth It to bebonded along its other edge to the rubber thread 5a forming the uppercompression strip. This pellicule completely covers the interlockingportions of the teeth II but is flexible and tough enough to allow theteeth to interlock to form the closure. At the same time, it preventssand or other foreign matter penetrating into the interstices betweenthe teeth and so preventing operation of the closure.

In this embodiment there is also shown an alternative form of slider 6.In the place of the conventional web as, for example, I I shown 'inFigure 5 which serves to displace the teeth on locking and unlocking theteethl I are provided ith jar n stide u idzwfi itfie d B'is shaped to,beir'etained thereby {and-are also provided with a g qove track I inwhich afing'en m provided on 'the nder'side 'o the upp r face of theslide'r'd. h

Referring to Figure the-finger Iil-isso shaped as to cause the teeth -'I"I" to be appropriately displaced to permit of lockingand unlocking ofthe teeth 1! on longitudinal movement" of-the slider G by'meansZofitheconventional grip or pull 9. --.Figure.8 shows an alternativeform-oftthe stri s" 5+5 and inuiisea 'eith se ere hbnew e d theleft'fhand strip'5 is provided with a A /frefie'ss into whichfits undercompressions correspondingly contoured'facefon the right-hand" strip 5.

Furthermore the slider 6 is not provided with a weglge passing rightthroughpbetween the rows of -..teeth I I but the wedge-- l-1.this case,only extends between the interlocking portion of the teeth II, and theslider 6 is retained in position by the arcuate formation IQ of theteeth II. It will be noted that the extension I3 of the stringer 3 iscarried round the lower edge of the teeth II to be bonded to the strips5-5. Figure 9 shows an adaptation of the type of fastener shown inFigures 1-4 to form either a T-joint or horizontal joint or a joint ofany Varying angle within 180 radius. In this case, in the place of thestrips 5-5 a tapering member 20 is adapted upon closin of the fastenersl and 2 to be forced into contact with the material 2! whichconveniently is rubberized to form a waterproof joint. Instead of theweb member 1 being straight it is of U- formation to circumvent thetapering member 23 and is held firmly between the member 20 and thematerial 2| to form a waterproof joint in the closed position in thesame manner as is described with reference to the web I in Fi ures 1-4.

Figure 10 shows in perspective a section of one row of a pair ofinterlocking Zip fasteners showing the respective positions of thestrips 5 and 5a which operate in the same manner as is described withreference to Figure 6. As an alternative, however, to ordinary roundthread being employed the strips 5 and 5a are of moulded T-section.

Figure 11 shows a perspective of a section of a row of Zip teeth inwhich the teeth H are bedded into a surrounding flexible moulding 2| theforward edges of which 2222 form the abutting compression joint. Thesurrounding moulding 2! may be of soft vulcanized rubber and providedwith portions 23 which stand proud of the general moulding and are hardvulcanized to form a bearing for the slider 6 to run upon, this sliderbeing formed as is described with reference to Figure 8.

Figure 12 shows in addition to the compression strips 55 theincorporation of a flexible tube member 26 which upon the fasteningbeing closed projects into and fills a corresponding open aperture 27 inthe opposite row of teeth. This tubular member 2'5 may be of sufficientinternal cross-sectional area for the portion occupying the aperture 21to be pressed out to conform to the shape of the aperture 2'! or to beinflated under air, oxygen or such gas in compression and applicable topressure suits for the use of airmen in stratosphere flying and thusproviding a completely watertight and airtight joint in addition to thecompression joint formed between the strips 55.

Figures 13 and 14 show the adaptation of the gate-tee 6 abuttin jointstd an-- edge-to edge fastenerfof ty epth-rthanj 'a' zipa this'case theen gaging'jteeth comprise ar'cuate fingers 24'-'an'd'25 two rows-ofwhich are provided between which are "sandwiched two jcompress'iblestrips- =-5''5 whicl r -abut under' compr'ession whenthe joint isclosedin the manner described with reference to thepreviousfigures.

Figures 15 and 16 show the use of'strips' 5 -5 asymmetrically disposediIII-"this case theistrip on tli'e 'left har'idsideis s'etwellbadk'in theteeth H and the strip on theright-hand. iside-juts forward; This stripJon the right=handf side may be of "flexiblebut non-yielding -..materialwhich beds against the softzwulcanized;threadni jolltllev left sideitSuch fan arrangement lends ;1 i gi c lity toith'e joint wwhen closedsince the right-hand member passes; between;the nterlocking portions 21'of ithez-teethv 111. The extensiongl3- of ,,the stringer 3 -.-may,--beapplied loqsely; to ;the-. front 3.8 tt t e -i oa s a a i b i ieifx a sting joint as shown'in Figure 16.

These teeth 21 need not assume the conventional shape of the Zip typefastener but may be as shown in Figure 1'7 formed from strip materialpunched at 29 into V-formation. Such a shape of tooth enables economicproduction and sufficient rigidity is imparted by the employment of tworows of fastenings.

Figure 18 shows a method of cutting existing teeth provided withelongated interlocking members. The members II are, before cutting,provided with elongated interlocking portions and a slot 33 is out toreceive the member 5. This forms two interlocking portions 34, 34 withthe sealing strip 5 between them. In this case the stringers 3 are notprovided with extensions to join with the member 5, but instead, theside faces of the members I I are provided with raised flats 35 ofrubber or other yielding material which extend from the stringer headingin the member H to the member 5. These flats abut under compressionagainst the flats on adjacent teeth to form a fluidtight seal.

Figures 19 and 20 show yet a further application of a compression joint.In this case the tooth II is so shaped as to enable a membrane 30 to bedisposed across a suitable opening 3| which membrane is displaced andplaced under tension by means of a flexible but non-yielding member 32fixedly secured in the opposing tooth. As shown in Figure 19 when thefastening is open the membrane 30 stretches in a straight line acrossthe aperture 31, but when closed as shown in Figure 20 the member 32presses against the membrane 30 and displaces same and may, if desired,press it in compression against the rear edge of the aperture 3|.

It will be realized that th embodiments shown in the accompanyingdrawings are but examples of the many ways of incorporating a compres:sion joint into an edge-to-edge fastener and the scope of the inventionis intended to cover the compression of two members, one on each row ofinterlocking fastening to form a fluidtight joint.

Similarly, whilst for many purposes the interlocking teeth may be madeof suitable metal it will be realized that they can equally well, andfor suitable purposes, be formed from other material, for example,artificial resins, vulcanite, or other material resistant to wear andadapted to form a firmly interlocking joint of sufficient strength tomaintain the two abutting faces forming the watertight joint undercompression.

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A ER'EDERIGK BRIESTV-LEY Country Date Swfiqerlan -V- or 1941 Number 1:133!- 1423 940681 2416 4960 zgawas.

